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Newbie, need advice!

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by Susie-Q, Jun 21, 2017.

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  1. Susie-Q

    Susie-Q Tourist

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    Hi.......my husband and I are heading to Vegas this fall and it will be the first time for both of us. It will be for my 50th birthday, which is in Sept. (not going during my birthday, helping kids move into apartments and get back to college) We've been to Reno before. My hubby will be 54 so we are not spring chickens. We are not really into laying by the pool. We've been doing research online but are ending up more confused than ever.

    Our first impulse was to stay at the NYNY. We thought we might go to the Blue Man Group and it's not too far away at the Luxor. Now I'm worried we might get a room too close to the roller coaster and it will be noisy. The other question, to get a spa suite or not. Is it worth it? I've never had one before and thought this would be a nice treat. Plus with all the walking around we'll be doing, we will probably be very happy to go back to our room and soak our old, worn out bones. Both of us are carrying around extra pounds, we are not skinny-minis but we can walk some as long as we pace ourselves. I might be the one dragging us down the most, I have a bad knee that is getting closer to needing to be replaced. I've already had one replaced 7 years ago and it's fine. I can walk around fine as long as I can rest periodically. I know there are buses and the monorail for getting around too.

    After reading good reviews about the MGM Tower Spa Suites I thought that might be a good choice for us. I've read the MGM Grand is huge, almost a city in itself. Is this too much for us? My hubby saw that the Signature at MGM rooms were very nice but I noticed on the map they were a bit of a walk from the Strip. So herein lies my dilemma. I want to be close to the strip so walking back to the room isn't such a huge chore every time.

    Where to stay? We don't want the most expensive room on the strip but we don't need to penny-pinch either. We want to do things up nice and have a nice time. I would love to hear comments from those who have done this before. Also, any tips for a early 50s couple, places to eat, shows to see, fun stuff to do, please leave any comments. Thank you!
     
  2. Grant1982

    Grant1982 High-Roller

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    Not 50 yet, but my wife is so I guess I have a little bit of experience there. You will be surprised how far Luxor is from NYNY. Most all of the casinos on the strip are actually a good distance from each other just because the properties are so large. I suggest taking a cab/Uber/rental car if moving between them with a bum knee. As far as where to stay I suggest the Cosmo, get a fountain view terrace, you will be glad you did. For shows I am a sucker for magic, love watching Mac King and Penn & Teller. Other entertainment is all over the place, many free things too such as Big Elvis, or the Midway acts at Circus Circus. Whatd of food do you like? Are you looking for buffets or something else?
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  3. Geogran

    Geogran VIP Whale

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    Welcome @Susie-Q
    Since some walking is doable, I'd recommend a mid strip property that has easy street access and easy room access without having to walk a mile everytime..
    One choice would be Cosmo for the terrace fountain view. Cosmo also has easy access to Bellagio and Aria on same side of street; from Cosmo 2nd level use pedestrian bridge right outside to cross over the strip and escalator down to Planet Hollywood and Paris. I've never stayed at PH or Paris, but lots of folks on here like these properties and both are mid strip with easy access to other casinos - I've read that rooms are being or have been recently renovated.

    Use Uber for casinos further north or further south on the strip.

    If you stay mid strip you will have lots of food options from fast food to high end and everything in between dependent on your likes and dislikes - between Cosmo, Aria, Bellagio, Planet Hollywood and Paris plus others, you will have more good choices than you will have time for, lol. Anything further afield for dining, you might want to use Uber to get around.

    There is a free tram for access between Bellagio, Aria, Monte Carlo. Also a free tram between Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay - if you are at the south end of the strip. The monorail on the east side of the strip (behind the resorts) is reasonable and has stops on the strip from MGM Grand to Harrah's and then heads further north to one other place (memory is vague on anything beyond Harrah's)...
     
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  4. IM ALL IN

    IM ALL IN High-Roller

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    60 female. Been to Vegas close to, well over 100 times. Lost count. Haven't stayed at NYNY but it is okay central, and damn, so many of my people have said stopped into NYNY and slots were good finally. MGM you are right it is VAST in there. It is a city in itself but it does have a Tram station. I don't stay there. If you do stay at NYNY and you want just a bit of fun at a show IN the hotel and are not offended easily, I love Zumanity. It is the sexy side of Cirque de Soleil. I've been only 3 times, different guests. I still laugh. I find it tastefully done, as two of the guests I brought were clients who enjoyed it. BlueMan always a hoot, but I'd choose something diff for your first time. It def is entertaining (only seen it twice? three times? but brought a bunch of my kids and friends when they were younger. When you get down there you will find that even though the NEXT hotel/casino is only a block away,,,it's A LONG BLOCK. Good luck with your planning.
     
  5. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    I concur.
     
  6. Uranium 235

    Uranium 235 Low-Roller

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    Just returned from NYNY a very happy customer. Strong suggestion: book a Strip View Room because it means you will be on the higher floors (away from roller coaster) and use the elevators different to everyone else. It was like my own private elevator while everyone else was waiting for the 'normal' ones. Price (already quite cheap for the Strip) is not much more than a regular room.

    It's also a reasonably-sized casino so you don't have to walk a mile from the entrance to elevators.
     
  7. Susie-Q

    Susie-Q Tourist

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    Ok, I looked into the Cosmo. While it sounds like a great view and newer place, it also sounds like it's geared for a younger crowd. Does anyone think a spa suite is worth it?
     
  8. Geogran

    Geogran VIP Whale

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    A) We are wayyyy older than you and don't feel out of place at Cosmo; age is just a state of mind, especially in Vegas, LOL.
    B) it's your birthday trip, and if you stay at NYNY, go for the spa suite! Your tired feet will thank you and I'm sure a spa suite will make your birthday celebration even more memorable for you and husband. Also, some really good places to eat at NYNY.

    Best of luck!
     
  9. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Spa suites are often over rated. How many times do folks actually sit in the tub? The ones at NYNY are in the what is basically a larger but normal room. The bathroom is small.

    Cosmo is wonderful - but not cheap. Folks will say that is the only way to go, but price is often a factor. Food options there are also a bit more expensive than across the street at Paris or Planet Hollywood. And yes, Cosmo is geared a bit to a younger crowd.

    I would suggest a regular room at Paris. There are lots of more reasonable food options near by.

    MGM or NYNY would be fine. Monte Carlo is about to start offering renovated rooms.

    #1 suggestion if you have flexibility in dates. Pull up the rate calendar for a few hotels and you will see rates move up and down, sometimes drastically based on what is happening in town.
     
  10. Susie-Q

    Susie-Q Tourist

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    Thanks for your great info, Geogran and Nostresshere. I wondered when the Monte Carlo construction was going to be done, I couldn't seem to find any definite date. Our vacation time is fairly flexible, we just need to make sure our friends can have our dog while we're gone. Our kids will be back in college by then. We are thinking early Oct either Sun-Thurs or Mon-Fri to take advantage of weekday rates. I'd like to try a spa suite once in my life. We may never do it again but at least we'll have tried it.
     
  11. ardee

    ardee It's only money.

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    For your first time in Vegas, stay at Cosmo, spring for a fountain view, and cab it everywhere else. Why add stress when you don't need to? I am a decade older than you are and felt right at home at Cosmo. So did the wife, who isn't.

    Other acts you might like: Carrot Top, Penn & Teller, Human Nature
     
  12. Bernie2

    Bernie2 MIA

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    My comment would be to not splurge on a room since most of the time in the room it will be dark. The money not spent on the room can go for food, shows and etc. Just a thought.
     
  13. Geogran

    Geogran VIP Whale

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    That says a lot about what you really want on this trip. That's what we all love about Vegas - you get to do it your way!

    Soak up (no pun intended) all the helpful tips and suggestions on places to eat, shows to see, etc but by all means book a spa suite at whichever hotel best fits your criteria. Enjoy that spa as it will be theraputic for that bum knee, so that's a bonus!

    Hope you will share your experiences!
     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2017
  14. in4mation808

    in4mation808 VMB VIP Expert Picture Taker

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    A spa suite is just a large tub in the room itself. To be honest, it wouldn't be a selling point for me. I’m not sure I’d sit in the tub. Would be a bit boring for me. Cosmo has a tub, although not the same size and shape, but they do have it and it’s jetted. Cosmo is a wonderful place. We’ve stayed there 4-times and continue to stay there. We fell in love with it the first time, and that was just a regular room. Cosmo isn’t cheap, but it’s not the most expensive out there either. While people may say Cosmo is geared towards the younger crowd, I’ll have to say that the younger crowd gravitates there. It’s not like they are specially catering to them. I’ve seen my share of young and old checking in to rooms there, so you’ll be fine.

    For your first time in Vegas, I’d stay at Cosmo. Not much can beat the fountain view terraces. You may also want to consider Aria. It is also very nice, but won’t offer you the fountain view or the terraces in the way Cosmo does.

    Or, you may want to consider breaking up your stay and going with more than 1 hotel. We often do this. As our “home” casino is Cosmo, we finish off there. But the beginning of our trip is at another hotel. We’ve done the Orleans to get that feel on that side. We have recently stayed at Main Street Station in downtown to get a feel for the ambiance there as well.

    Your mileage may vary, but maybe consider booking at an actual Spa at a hotel instead of a spa suite.
     
  15. Hurricane

    Hurricane Eat, drink, be merry and roll points

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    I've never stayed there but for central location and easy walking (given the small casino) you cannot beat the Cromwell. Agree Cosmo is my favorite but can be a lot more expensive. The other options mentioned all will work, too, so go with what jumps out to you and fits your budget.
     
  16. gs32794

    gs32794 VIP Whale

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    Never stayed NYNY, but really like the casino. Zumanity was great.

    Had a spa suite years ago at Caesars, used it one time for less than an hour. Only you know if you'll use it. However, have had years of telling stories about it!

    If you like a place...Go with it. As someone mentioned book a good category at NYNY and then ask for a very high floor at check in.

    One thing to take into consideration if walking distance is a concern, the pedestrian bridges at Tropicana and LVB are being closed and reworked in sequence : Tropicana> MGM (phase 2), MGM > NYNY (phase 3), NYNY > Excalibur (phase 4) The bridge from Excalibur to Tropicana is finished. Below is a link to NDOT with the schedule. Do not know if they are back on target.

    https://www.nevadadot.com/projects-programs/road-projects/tropicana-las-vegas-boulevard-pedestrian-bridges
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2017
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  17. gs32794

    gs32794 VIP Whale

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    True. Also, Paris rooms are relatively close to strip and almost as close as Cromwell to the very center of the strip.
     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2017
  18. ChickenBone Jones

    ChickenBone Jones Low-Roller

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    My advice is don't worry about places being geared to young or old. There are old fat people everywhere in Vegas I should know, I am one. If you like the cosmo stay at cosmo.
    I generally poo poo the people that complain about the size of MGM, but the spa suites are at the end of the halls so maybe not a great idea for someone with any mobility concerns.
    For your one big vegas trip I think center strip is a good choice, but I think a unique to Vegas experience is a better choice. Go with NYNY and ask for a quiet room at check in. Try and plan your trip in "sections" of the strip so you minimize walking. My wife and I like to work are way out from our resort each day and then uber back in the evening when we're tired.
    Most important thing to remember about Vegas is that there are amazing things to see and do everywhere. Don't over think it because whatever you do, you'll have a great time.
     
  19. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Okay.. what are you expecting to get in a "spa suite". Let's get that cleared up.
     
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